Fernando Alonso, a two-time Formula 1 World Champion, believes that Aston Martin is trying to “over-develop” as a racing force off-track in its quest to compete at the highest level in Formula 1, which he equates to playing in the “Champions League” of the sport.

Aston Martin made significant strides in the early part of the 2023 Formula 1 season, moving from seventh in the constructors’ standings to having one of the fastest cars. The team also moved into a new, state-of-the-art factory and is working on its own wind tunnel to improve performance.

However, a recent downturn in performance has prompted the team to refocus its efforts. Alonso acknowledges the challenges of maintaining a competitive edge in Formula 1, where developments happen rapidly, and says that mastering all aspects of a race weekend, from practice to the race, is crucial.

He compares the competition in Formula 1 to playing in the “Champions League,” and suggests that Aston Martin is now working on over-developing off-track to keep pace with the top teams.

Despite the team’s early success, Alonso is unsure if Aston Martin will return to the podium, given the increased competition among teams at the front of the grid. He suggests that achieving two or three podium finishes in the second half of the season would be a good result, even though his goal is to secure more.

Alonso’s perspective highlights the intense competition and continuous development efforts required to excel in Formula 1, which is often likened to the highest level of competition in the sport.